It may be some time until tourists can once again splash freely around Thailand’s famous Maya Bay as authorities confirm that they still haven’t set a reopening date.
The hotspot made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie, The Beach, was closed by Thailand’s leaders in June last year due to extensive damage caused by up to 4,000 visitors every day.
Authorities told media last year that the excess number of tourists had led to the degradation of the 300-metre bay’s coral sea and affected local sea life.
In a bid to reverse the damage, scientists implemented a strict environmental rejuvenation plan for Maya Bay that included a complete tourist ban.
Scientists told BBC during an exclusive tour of Maya Bay, that the eight-month removal of visitors has had a positive impact on the area, although full recovery could take years.
Image: Humphrey Muleba/Unsplash
“There are big changes. We now have 60 sharks and before we had no sharks.”
Thon Thamrongnawasawat, Marine Scientist
“We need to take a break and give Mother Nature a chance and we will be proud that this generation left something for the next generation.”
In order to encourage further rehabilitation, Thai authorities said they will continue to prohibit tourists from visiting indefinitely. They added that when the bay does reopen, it will have a daily visitor limit to ensure ongoing sustainability.
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